need advise on how to carry

[totallysick]

Hello, I've been lurking about for months. I really enjoy reading/learning from most of the users here.

I am set on getting my concealed carry permit. Reason is my job takes me all over the good and bad parts of the city. My job takes me into homes of people I do not know. I've had some real weirdos too. Funny though I am more worried about being car jacked.

Anyway I wear dress slacks, dress shoes, long sleeve dress shirts. I am very sure that letting on that I am carrying would not be good.

I really want the gun to be accessable in a hurry so fanny packs, ankle holsters are out. Also it's way to hot for me to wear a suit coat (even in winter, it just does not work for me).

I am pretty sure that I want a reasonable sized gun. If the gun is too small I would not want to practice with it. I'm leaning towards a revolver. I would rather not get into caliber discussions as I've got that figured out.

Looking for the best combo for consealment, both gun and holster.

Ok who's got an opinion?

 

[azhunter122]

Small Glocks are nice, you could probably carry it just about any way you want. Ruger SP-101's are also nice or of course the S&W J-frame revolver. You can wear an IWB tuckable holster, or pocket carry.

 

[chupacabrah]

like he said^ both are good options.

other guns to consider are the M&P compact, XDsc as far as semi-autos
and rossi/taurus snubs to go along w/ same category as J-frame.

just depends on personal preference, really. I have a j-frame (mdl 36) in a mika pocket holster right now, hardly can tell its there, other than the weight

 

[bensdad]

Pocket carry (in holster) or IWB. Don't know about others, but I can't hide a very big gun. I'm 5'6", 150lbs. (pure muscle).

I can do IWB, but I always feel like the gun is obvious to others. You gotta untuck the shirt over the gun, or untuck it partially and sort of fold it over. OTOH, With a cover garment I can carry anything IWB all day long and never feel "obvious." I carry either a Taurus MilPro PT745 or a PT140.

Also, pocket carry works. I have a Ruger LCP with a little pocket holster that hides in dress slacks just fine. It's my church gun.

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

You may want to look at the very slim & small pistols from Kahr. Their triggers are buttery smooth and they work very well in a Ky-Tac pocket holster. Another consideration might be the PF-9 from Kel-Tec.

Sam

 

[ice monkey]

Well if you’re ok with the semi - auto, I would go with a two pistol combo. Why pistol? That little extra thinness works for me. Especially, when I am wearing dress pants.

If you’re ok with the .380 auto, then get a quality pistol like the Sig 232, or the Beretta which has more capacity. The t-shirt holster works well for me. Then get a nice little pocket pistol in the same caliber, such as the Ruger LCP. Now you have a back up, and a primary. They are both the same caliber so there’s no wondering if you have the right ammo.

The best part of this combo is it works for the way you say you dress. No matter what, you’ll always have your pocket pistol on you, which is a big plus if your dress just isn’t working with your semi compact (primary) on any particular day. Plus you’ll always have your semi compact handy in the car for a car jacking incident if need be.

If you can hide the Ruger Sp101 as others have suggested - all the power to you, use it as your primary. Then then get an air weight in .38 for your pocket. Same idea. I really like the SP but I just can’t draw it from my pocket, or hide it that well with a tucked in shirt either. But that’s just me, your mileage may vary.

I will say this in closing – buy quality handguns, and practice, practice, and then practice some more. I figure that goes without saying with a carry gun, but if this is your first carry gun, the first time it fails on the range … Well I’ll just say this, when you need it, you don’t need to be worrying if it will work, or wondering where the safety is or if it even has one lol. If money is a problem and two handguns isn’t in the cards right away – fine. But IMHO, get the pocket model first, you’re way more likely to always have it on you. With time you can draw a pocket gun very fast.

That’s my $0.02 worth lol. Welcome to THR.

 

[totallysick]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I had no idea that when people said "pocket carry" that they meant in a "holster" designed for your "pocket". I went online and found some examples. Sounds like a great way to go for access and convenience.

ice monkey, I'll check into the t-shirt holster but probably will not work since I wear dress shirts and ties.

I am leaning towards a 38 revolver. I'm a little worried about the handgun being too small. My experience with small guns has not been good. I really hate the way they kick. My Dad has a S&W .357 revolver that was not too bad when shooting .38's.

If I am not comfortable shooting it I know I won't practice with it.

 

[velobard]

My suggestions:
Crossbreed Supertuck IWB
Smartcarry
Pocket holster
Tommy's Gun Pack. I know you said no fanny packs, but this one works well for quick access.

Pick what works for you.

 

[kcshooter]

Hmmm.....

Reasonable sized gun....

Quickly accessable....

No cover garment....

Let me know what magic firearm you end up choosing.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

Use a pocket holster and one of these:

http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=301&category=Revolver

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15704&isFirearm=Y

Practice, practice, practice.

ECS

 

[skwab]

you also might want to look into a walther PPS - slim design, light, decent capacity.

 

[Drgong]

the best current production revolver for your needs imho is the SP101, though don't forget to look at J-frames.

 

[1911 guy]

Tuckable IWB, pocket holster or belly band are the things that come to mind quickly. It helps that they've already been mentioned.

An auto would give you a bit more leeway due to thinner profile, but if a small revolver is what feels best to you, go for it. As far as practicing goes, it would be perfectly fine in my book to get a larger revolver to shoot with most of the time and put the CCW gun through its paces once a month or so.

 

[indiandave]

Model 642 smith in a mika pocket holster. if you are worried about the recoil start off with 148 wc ammo.

 

[weisse52]

Model 642 smith in a mika pocket holster.

Yes, what he said,

And yes, I know you said no fanny pack but,

Tommy's Gun Pack. I know you said no fanny packs, but this one works well for quick access.

THE BEST way to carry in shorts and t-shirts

 

[Gideon]

Just about every carry option is a misture of compromises. Your manner of dress is the same I have at work. W/out a cover garment you can only consider tuckable options. I think they're a VERY poor choice. 1st, most leave the belt clips exposed. 100 people will tell you no one notices or asks but I believe lots of people will notice and wonder but not say anything. And if they do ask you either tell the truth and expose yourself or you lie, neither a good option. You can get velcro attachments for some tuckable holsters but I can't imagine that they remain secure and steady for the long haul although I've never personally dealt with one.

Then with a tuckable you have the "lump" and you will have a lump unless you're huge or stand perfectly still. I believe you'll find yourself always having to check and fix your shirt.

You ruled out ankle so it leaves you with pocket. If you're a smaller guy it's hard to carry any decent sized gun in a pocket without it being a very noticeable and uncomfortable lump. If you're big enough you can pull of a Kahr PM9 (9mm) or a J frame .38. I recomend either. Smaller still is the Ruger LCP or Keltec P3AT. I have both of these and prefer the LCP. Mine has been more reliable with a wider range of ammo than either of my two P3AT's.

There are other pocket carry 9mm's, 32's, and .380's but essentially those are your options. Pocket carry is NOT the way to go in a car because you can't access your weapon but you can take it out when you get in your car and have it ready.

Truth is, with a cover garment there are tons of options, without one, the choices are much less and those options are less accessible.

I've tried smart carry and I have a belly band and both work with the J frame or the small auto's I mentioned but they simply aren't as comfortable as pocket carry or IWB carry in a good holster.

I believe most folks end up with a number of weapons and a number of different holsters becasue you can never find one combination that is simply "IT". I wear a suit coat to church so I always carry a larger weapon on those occasions. Other times when out in the woods or working in the yard I wear an untucked button down shirt and that covers a good sized weapon IWB. But in business casual I have to pocket carry either my S&W 642 (the one I recommend the most) or my Ruger.

In some dress pants the 642 seems huge and prints due to the thinness of the pockest. I'm 5'7" and very slender/thin so bumps and lumps stand out big time. I recommend the thinnist possible pocket holster that has the best flat square front panel to break up the outline of the gun. You'd be surprised how many expensive pocket holsters do little to hide the outline of the gun.

Many will say don't worry about it, the sheep won't notice. Maybe that's true but the result of being made could be significant enough to warrant extra care taken so you're not made.

Hope you find what works best for you!.
God Bless
Gideon

 

[CWL]

I think that a pocket holster would work best for your situation, easier to access than IWB-tucked.

 

[Pumpgunner870]

Definitely a candidate for pocket carry.

We don't have a specific weapons policy at work, so I do carry. My normal attire is Khaki shorts or pants and a polo shirt. I do alot of odd jobs so I needed a means of carrying and not ever having to worry about printing or my shirt coming up.

For the most part I either have my Kel-tec P-3at (substitute Ruger LCP as necessary) in a Desantis Super Fly holster. What I like about the Super Fly is that it is darn near impossible to draw the holster out with the gun and the anti-print panel covers any shape of a gun, even in a lighter weight fabric.

My other is a Kel-tec PF-9 in a Desantis Nemisis holster for the time being, I expect to get a Super Fly for it as well for christmas, I definitely prefer the Superfly over the Nemisis.

The recoil for the P-3at is really not bad at all, but the gun is small and I definitely would not want to use it for much past 10 yards at absolute maximum. The PF-9 does have recoil to it, the price for being small and light, but is easily controllable and practice with within reason, I wouldn't go to the range and put 200+ rounds through it at a time.

Other options that I looked at were the Kahr CW series which are a good price value and available in both 9mm and .40 S&W. Also is the steel framed Kahrs.

The biggest issue I found with pocket carry is the thickness of the weapon. Especially when you are sitting down and put tension on the front of your pants. The P-3at, and even the PF-9 sized guns really give no more impression than a wallet.

If you have the money there is also the Rohrbaugh R9 which is a nice piece of machinery in 9mm if you are not comfortable with the .380 ACP.